MBC denied that it was in a feud with Big Hit Entertainment over BTS' inability to attend its 2019 Gayo Daejejeun extravaganza. It also denied that it was taking its revenge on other Big Hit artists like Gfriend and TXT.
In MBC's statement, it denied speculations that BTS' absence in MBC's 2019 Gayo Daejejeun was the reason that labelmates Gfriend and TXT were not included in the lineup of artists performing.
Fans shared theories online that because BTS was scheduled to perform at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in New York instead of MBC's Gayo Daejejeun, the network took out their frustration at Big Hit's other artists and excluded them from the lineup.
"Gfriend and Tomorrow x Together (TXT) not being in the lineup is not revenge against Big Hit because BTS is not making an appearance. It is according to our PD to book the artists. We already knew that BTS would be performing at an overseas schedule," MBC's Gayo Daejejeon PD clarified.
After confirming that SNSD Yoona and Cha Eun Woo will be returning to host the show together for their third year, Jang Sung Kyu was also added to round up the trio of MCs for the show. MBC also confirmed the final line up of artists for its yearend musical showcase.
The network teased that the theme for the 2019 MBC Gayo Daejejeon will be The Chemistry and will showcase unexpected collaborations by many artists across different labels.
Based on the lineup, those who have confirmed performances for the show include AOA, DAWN, GOT7, ITZY, MONSTA X, NCT Dream, NCT 127, Stray Kids, TWICE, Guckkasten, Super Junior's Kyuhyun, Kim Jae Hwan, NORAZO, NU'EST, Lovelyz, Red Velvet, MAMAMOO, Sung Si Kyung, SEVENTEEN, Celeb Five, Song Ga In, ASTRO, (G)I-DLE, Oh My Girl, WJSN, Lee Seok Hoon, Jang Woo Hyuk, Chungha, SHINee's Taemin, HyunA, and Hong Jin Young.
However, after Red Velvet Wendy's unfortunate accident during the rehearsals of SBS' Gayo Daejeon, it is unclear whether the remaining members will be able to participate in the show.
MBC's Gayo Daejejeon is an annual event that seeks to celebrate and showcase the year's best talents and is considered one of the most-watched yearend events in Korea.
The 2019 MBC Gayo Daejejeon will happen on December 31 at the MBC Dream Center in Ilsan. In order to get tickets, fans can participate in a raffle on the event's homepage, according to a report by Kpopmap.
